Mold toxicity is a condition I take very seriously because it’s one I’ve dealt with myself. In 2018, I began experiencing symptoms that seemed to have no cause. I was constantly nauseous and had abdominal pain. On the rare occasion that I was able to eat, I had severe allergic reactions to most foods. I threw up a lot. I lost weight. I was constantly tired and couldn’t even climb a few stairs without getting winded. What was happening to me?
Luckily, my training as a functional medicine practitioner allowed me to connect the dots and make a diagnosis. I was suffering from mast cell activation syndrome and mold toxicity caused by exposure to hidden mold in my office building.
After vacating my office building, I began to take steps to heal myself from mold toxicity. I’m happy to report that I’m symptom-free these days and more committed than ever to helping others with their illness caused by toxic mold.
One of the most effective ways I found to detox from mold exposure was following a “low mold diet” — eating certain foods and avoiding others to help my body recover. This dietary plan is ideal for anyone who is experiencing symptoms related to toxic mold exposure.
Sugary, Starchy Foods
The best thing you can do to help your body detox from the mold is to keep your overall diet low in sugar and starches. Mold spores can utilize sugar and starch as fuel, so avoiding foods that contain these ingredients may prevent mold from spreading.1
Remember that sugar has many names. When reading food labels, look for words like glucose, sucrose, lactose, and fructose. While they are preferable to processed sugar, natural sugar sources like honey and maple syrup should also be avoided. Even fruits that are especially high in sugar, like bananas and grapes, should be eaten sparingly. Sugar substitutes like sorbitol are also a no-go when following a low mold diet.
Since most prepackaged foods contain added sweeteners, you’ll want to skip them in favor of whole foods when possible. Salad dressing, for example, can be a sneaky source of sugar, so consider whipping up a simple vinaigrette from scratch instead of buying the bottled kind.
A surprising number of the foods we eat are potentially contaminated by mold, so you should be careful about avoiding these foods when trying to detox from mold exposure. Grains like wheat and rice are at the top of this list, as are dairy products from grain-fed cows.2 Other foods that may contain mold include:
Just because you’re following a low mold diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy plenty of delicious, healthy food! Here are some foods that can help support your body during the detoxification process.
Still, more foods can be enjoyed in moderation while you are following a low mold diet. You should feel free to consume small amounts of:
With so many healthy choices, you shouldn’t feel deprived as you allow your body to detoxify after mold exposure. You may even see other benefits from eating so well, including clearer skin, better digestion, and increased energy.
Mold toxicity is a very personal issue for me, and I’ve made it my mission to educate others about this debilitating condition, so they don’t have to suffer the way I did. With the help of myself and my colleagues here at My Pure MD, you can get the support and guidance you need to heal your body from mold toxicity. The dietary guidelines I’ve laid out above are a great starting point, but a personalized treatment plan can plant you firmly on the path to wellness. I know what you’re going through, and I have the training and expertise to help you.
If you think you may have been exposed to toxic mold, or if you’re experiencing mysterious symptoms and don’t know where to turn, please reach out to us here at My Pure MD. We look forward to hearing from you.
References
1. Membré JM, et al. Combined effects of pH and sugar on growth rate of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, a bakery product spoilage yeast. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1999;65(11):4921-4925.
2. Becker‐Algeri, T.A., et al. Mycotoxins in Bovine Milk and Dairy Products: A Review. Journal of Food Science. 2016;81:R544-R552.
